Ikea follows The Big Issue with Big Clean Switch team-up

Ikea have followed in the footsteps of The Big Issue by building a partnership with Big Clean Switch.

The flat-pack furniture giant is offering UK customers the chance to save £300-a-year by working with the ‘profit for purpose’ firm to switch to a 100 per cent renewable electricity tariff.

Big Clean Switch only lists tariffs where the supplier can guarantee that all electricity comes from renewable sources like sun, wind and water.

Our aim at the Big Clean Switch is to be a voice for change. We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to switch to renewable electricity

The team-up is the latest part of the Swedish giant’s plan to work towards 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020. Last year, Ikea, who lost founder Ingvar Kamprad earlier this year, introduced home solar panels and battery storage as part of their environmental push.

While the move is good news for consumers, the lightbulbs were already on in October last year when The Big Issue joined forces with Big Clean Switch, run by social enterprise Ethical Introductions.

“At Ikea, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond minimising the impact of our own operations to having a positive impact on the world around us,” said Ikea UK sustainability manager Hege Sæbjørnsen. “We want to provide our customers with innovative solutions that will help them live a more sustainable life at home and save money in the short and long-term. By partnering with the Big Clean Switch, we hope to make switching to renewable electricity simple, accessible and affordable to everyone.”

For every switch, Ikea will receive a commission payment which will support community initiatives locally before being split across UK stores at the end of the campaign. Customers can sign up for the initiative from now on.

Jon Fletcher, Big Clean Switch campaign director, said: “Our aim at the Big Clean Switch is to be a voice for change. We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to switch to renewable electricity and our partnership with IKEA is a big step forward in helping more people achieve this. Every person who makes the switch plays a vital role in taking the necessary action to help reduce the impact of climate change.”

Main pic credit: Ikea